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Jax Preschool SEEDS Program Strengthens Early Education in Jacksonville

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Colorful mural of St. Johns River wildlife at preschool

News Summary

The Jax Preschool SEEDS program is enhancing early education for families in Jacksonville through a partnership with local organizations. Notable contributions from staff members have helped guide families to essential resources, improving community support. One key initiative includes a mural project that fosters environmental awareness among preschoolers, created in collaboration with the St. Johns Riverkeeper. This program exemplifies a commitment to enriching early childhood education and family support in the area.

Jacksonville – The Jax Preschool SEEDS program is making significant strides in enhancing early education and resources for families in Jacksonville. This pilot initiative aims to support families with children preparing for school, ensuring that they receive vital early educational and developmental assistance. The program operates through a partnership involving the LJD Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS), the University of North Florida, and the Florida Institute of Education.

One notable participant in the program is Katia Paul, director of Lil Nuggets Daycare Inc., located in Westside Jacksonville. She has praised the contributions of JFCS staff member Misline Brown, who is recognized for her unwavering support for families in need of guidance and resources. Paul expressed her gratitude, highlighting the program’s considerable impact on the community and emphasizing Brown’s role in helping families overcome challenges.

Prior to Brown’s engagement with the program, Paul experienced difficulties in directing families to essential resources provided by the Early Learning Coalition (ELC). However, Brown has significantly alleviated these challenges by offering support and connecting families with available aid, leading to meaningful improvements in their lives.

Beyond individual assistance, the Jax Preschool SEEDS program is commended for its overall contributions, supporting students, families, and the broader community. One of the noteworthy projects associated with this initiative is a mural at the Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool, which depicts the St. Johns River. This 25.5-foot mural serves not only as an artistic installation but as an educational tool, created through collaboration between the preschool and the St. Johns Riverkeeper.

The mural project was spearheaded by preschool teacher Mary Carmen Fuentes, alongside students and fellow teachers. This initiative was born out of shared goals for environmental education between the Jewish Community Alliance and the St. Johns Riverkeeper. The aim is to cultivate a sense of connection to the local river in young children, inspiring them to become advocates for environmental conservation.

A collaboration between the early childhood program assistant director at the Jewish Community Alliance, Diane Campbell, and the Riverkeeper’s education coordinator, Danielle Dolan, made the mural project possible. Children from the Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool, which accommodates kids from ages one to kindergarten, have been involved in river education programs and have even participated in supervised nature field trips to nearby locations such as Goodbys Lake.

The newly installed mural replaced an uninspiring beige wall, now showcasing vibrant imagery of local river wildlife. This transformation aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the St. Johns River among the children, many of whom reside close to it yet may not engage with it directly. Campbell noted the importance of establishing this connection, emphasizing the mural’s role in nurturing children’s environmental awareness.

The St. Johns Riverkeeper, committed to educating the public about the river and its environmental challenges, has initiated two river programs with preschool students, with additional activities planned for the upcoming summer camp. Overall, the Jax Preschool SEEDS program exemplifies a successful effort to enrich early childhood education in Jacksonville and to support families in their developmental journeys.

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Additional Resources

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